Shia faction of Hezbollah has been carrying out rocket strikes in north Israel in support of Hamas
Shortly after a Kerala man was killed and two others injured in a missile strike near the Israel-Lebanon border, the Centre today issued an advisory for Indians, asking them to move to safer areas in Israel.
"In view of the prevailing security situation and local safety advisories, all Indians nationals in Israel, especially those working in or visiting border areas in the north and south, are advised to relocate to safe areas within Israel. The Embassy remains in touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals," the Indian embassy in Israel has said.
In the first Indian casualty in the Israel-Hamas war, a man from Kerala's Kollam died in a missile strike in north Israel's Margaliot yesterday. The Israel embassy in India said in a statement this morning that two others, also from Kerala, were injured in the "cowardly" attack by Hezbollah. The man killed in the strike has been identified as Pat Nibin Maxwell. Those injured have been identified as Paul Melvin and Bush Joseph George from Idukki.
The three were cultivating an orchard at the time of the missile strike, the statement said. The Israel embassy has said its prayers go out to the families of the dead and the injured. "Israeli Medical institutions are completely at the service of the injured who are being treated by our very best medical staff. Israel regards equally all nationals, Israeli or foreign, who are injured or killed due to terrorism. We will be there to support the families and offer them assistance," it said.
"Our countries, who are sadly well versed in civilian loss, stand united in hopes of a speedy recovery for the injured and solace for the family of the bereaved," the statement added.
Israel's ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, has said he had spoken to the brother of the Kerala man killed in the missile strike. "I offered my heartfelt condolences to him and the family and reassured that Israel will be by their side for anything and everything," he said in a post on X.
The anti-tank missile was fired from Lebanon, news agency PTI has reported. The Shia faction of Hezbollah has been carrying out rocket strikes and drone attacks in north Israel in support of Hamas since the war began.
The Israel-Hamas war has raged on for nearly five months after the October 7 attacks on Israeli cities. Tel Aviv's brutal counterstrike has led to thousands of deaths in the Gaza Strip.
New Delhi has said it is deeply troubled by the conflict and the humanitarian crisis it has led to.
At a briefing at the UN General Assembly, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, said "the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially women and children". "This is simply unacceptable. We have strongly condemned the deaths of civilians in the conflict. India has a longstanding and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," she said.
"India is committed to supporting a two-state solution where the Palestinian people are able to live freely in an independent country within secure borders with due regard to the security needs of Israel," she added.
